false dichotomy

English

WOTD – 19 June 2022

Etymology

A diagram of a type of inflorescence (a cluster of flowers) called a dichasium. Dichasia exhibit false dichotomy (sense 1).

From false + dichotomy.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌfɔːls daɪˈkɒtəmi/, /fɒls-/, /dɪ-/
  • (file)
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˌfɔls daɪˈkɑtəmi/, /fɑls-/, [-ɾə-]
  • Rhymes: -ɒtəmi
  • Hyphenation: false di‧cho‧to‧my

Noun

false dichotomy (plural false dichotomies)

  1. (botany) A branching in which the main axis appears to divide dichotomously at the apex but is in reality suppressed, the growth being continued by lateral branches (as in the dichasium).
  2. (rhetoric) A situation in which two alternative points of view are presented as the only options, when others are available.
    Synonyms: fallacy of the excluded middle, false dilemma

Translations

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Further reading

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